Jon McCarry ('01), an alumnus with a wide breadth of experience in private equity, was tapped as the senior director for the center housed in the College of Business.

His expertise is just what the region needs, says Marilyn Wiley, dean of the college, which is one of the nation's largest business schools and home to numerous top-ranked programs.

"The North Texas region offers so much for industry, and as a Tier One research university, UNT is best positioned to be a resource where great ideas can find a partner ready to co-navigate a path toward success," she says. "Jon McCarry's exceptional experience will help UNT continue to contribute to the economic vitality of the region, while ensuring UNT's students have additional hands-on learning opportunities."

McCarry will spearhead the center's efforts to spur entrepreneurial creativity on campus and in surrounding communities. In the coming months, he plans to make it a go-to resource for businesses, as well as UNT students, faculty, staff and alumni.

"If we're doing our job correctly, new opportunities are blooming in concert with a vibrant environment," McCarry says. "We want our innovative companies to keep their roots in the North Texas region and inspire others."

The Murphy Enterprise Center was established in 1999 thanks to a $1 million gift from Ken Murphy ('60) and the late Shirley Murphy ('71). It was renamed the Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship in 2009, and added "Innovation" to its title this year.

Emily Roden ('01) uses Denton-based Stoke Coworking -- a space where UNT alums and staff provide mentoring to aspiring entrepreneurs -- as a meeting place for ReadyRosie. Read more about how the Denton startup community is making the most of Stoke at northtexan.unt.edu/tech-startups#extras.

View an interactive timeline of UNT alums, including Sutaria, who have founded tech startups over the past decade at northtexan.unt.edu/tech-startups-timeline.